Program device for player musical instruments and program strip therefor



Dec. 2, 1930. w. J. BUTLER 1,783,375

PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PLAYER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROGRAM STRIP THEREFOR Filed Nov. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 W mm,

Dec. 2 1930.

w. J. BUTLER 75 PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PLAYER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROGRAM STRIP THEREFOR Filed Nov. 12, 1928 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fig. 5.

Dec. 2, 1930.

w. J. BUTLER 1,783,375 PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PLAYER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROGRAM STRIP THEREFOR Filed Nov. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,199 zoo 238 I & 1m /96 248 Dec. 2, 1930. w. J. BUTLER 83,375

PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PLAYER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROGRAM STRIP THEREFOR Filed Nov. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 D Y .115 AM MUSICAL SNUFF BOX p/55 I] H 1] 33" L Q J BLML 5 b ELLE DANSE W I QtLL ZE n m V33 m3 332 n n n 6 30A GOOD NIGHT HARK-HARK-THE LARK /55 n n n DANCE M455 0 u H U 3 a k 203 W I! u n I! u n QISQM u MlNUET W S I] u 203 W 33 G'OOAM a sail." u 2 9:15am MORNlNG GREG. 5 TRAUMEREI W455 225 B 332,411 a 0 u u 830% GAVOTTE Wl55 Patented Dec. 2, 1930 U-NITE'D STATES WILLARD J. BUTLER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO PROGRAM DEVICE FOR PLAYER MUSICAL INS'TRUMENTSAND PROGRAM' STRIP THEREFOR Application filed November 12, 1828.

My invention relates to a program device for a player musical instrument, such as a piano, organ, or other musical lnstrument,

It is the object of my invent-ion to provide a: player musical instrument with means for ing the playing and automatically successively stopping. the playing between renditions; further, to provide such device with automatic means for return of the rendition means, exemplified as a program strip, or program roll, to initial relation; further, to provide means for rendering such stopping means inoperative during such return; further, to provide such device with a horometer and control means therefor whereby to control the initiations of the respective renditions; further, to provide means whereby said initiations take place at timed intervals and means-for adjusting said timed in tervals; and, further, to provide manual means for controlling the initiations of the respective renditions, and connecting means between said horometer control means and said manual control means for interrupting the horometer control means upon actuation of said manual control means. i

It is the object of my invention further to provide a program strip, preferably in the form of a roll, for a player musical instrument provided with note perforations and a stop part for controlling cessation of travel of the strip; further, to provide a program strip provided with spaced-apart series of note perforations and with stop parts for automatically stopping travelof the program strip at the respective terminations of the renditions of said respective series of note perforations. By a series of note perforations is meant the perforations necessary for ,a chord, air, or other unit of musical selection.

It is the object of'my invention, further, to

provide said stop parts between proximate series of note perforations; further, to provide said program strip with a re-roll control part at the end of the collective series of note perforations for causing movement of said program strip to initial relation, and whereby Serial No. 318,923.

to render said stop parts inoperative during such return; and, further, to provide said program strip with a stop part at the beginning of thecollective series of note perforations for initial position of said program strip.

I have exemplified my invention. as employed in connection with a power player piano provided with pneumatics, although it may be employed in other relations within the scope of my invention stated in the appended claims.

The invention will be further readily understoodfrom the followingdescription and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of player mechanism embodying my invention, showing some of the parts broken away, and some of the partsin section.

Fig. 2 is a plan-view of exemplifying control devices for the program mechanism, partly broken away, and partly in section, the electric" circuits being shown diagrammatr cally.

Fig.3 is a side elevation ofthe same, partly in section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of an exemplifying clock-.. v

Fig.2. 5 represents a side elevation of an ex simplifying series of timecontrol wheels-in separated relation.

Fig. 6 is a central vertical section ofexemplifying reroll and replay pneumatics, the one being shown in extended relationand the other'in collapsed relation, the relation shown being for replay, whereas the relation shown in- Fig. l is for reroll.

Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of an exemplifying stop pneumatic, showing its connection with the switch retainingarm partly broken away.

Fig. 8 is a central horizontal section ofan exemplifying choke for the stop pneumatic and the hammer pneumatics, its connections being partly broken away.

ig. 9 is a front elevation of'exemplifying time control setting means in the program device, partly brokenaway complemental to and 1 on the sprocket wheel 45.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of exemplifying replay control means, partly broken away.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line 11-l1 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a detail of'the connecting means betweenv the rod actuated by the reroll and replay pneumatics and the rods actuating the choke and the shifter for the spool actuating means respectively; and,

Fig. 13 is a plan view of an exemplifying program strip, partly broken away, for use in connection with my improved player mechanism, shown in association with an exemplifying clock dial.

Theplayer piano exemplified comprises a take-up spool 21 in a spool-box 22. The takeup spool is arranged to be rotated by a pneumatic motor 23 supplied in usual manner from a pneumatic pump 24, which also suplies the vacuum for the various parts of the instrument. The vacuum pump is exemplified as operated by an electric motor 25, by means of a belt 26 passing 28, respectively on the rotor shafts of said electric motor and said electric pump. (See Fig. 1).

A tracker-bar 31'is located in the spoolbox and is provided with usual note ports 32 the note perforations 33 in a strip 34, (Figs. 1 and 13), which may be rolled upon a spool 35, and may be termed roll. I shall hereinafter designate the strip as a program strip or as a program roll and the s 001 thereof as a ro ram s 001; D

The take-up spool 21 and the program spool 35 may be rotated in suitable manner for travel of the program strip across the trackenbar, and I have provided novel means for controlling such rotations. The take-up spool is mounted on a shaft 38 journaled in bearings in the spool-box and is provided with a gear 39 fast thereon. A pinion 40 is arranged to selectively mesh with the gear, and is fixed to an axially movable shaft 41.

The program spool is mounted in suitable manner between a spring-pressed stub-shaft 42 at one end of the spool and a drive shaft 43 having clutch connection 44 with the other end of the spool. A sprocket Wheel 45 is axially held and rotatively loose on the shaft 41 and a'sprocket wheel 46 is fast on the shaft 43. A sprocket chain 47 is received about these sprocket wheels. 7 V

Levers 51, 52, are respectively pivoted on. pivots 53, 54, to thespool-box, and have an articulation 55 between them. The lever 51 is provided with a pin 56 received in an annuiar grove 5'? of a clutch collar 58 fast on the axially movable shaft 41. A clutch 59 has its respective clutch memberson said collar shaft 41 is moved axially in one direction, the pinion 40 is meshed with the gear 39 for rotating the take-up spool, and when the clutch about pulleys 27 When. the

collar is moved in the opposite direction the members of the clutch 59 are caused to engage and the pinion is moved out of mesh with the gear for rotating the shaft 43 for rer-oll of the program roll. A brake 61 connected with the lever 51 coacts with the face of the gear 39 and a springpressed brake-shoe 62 coacts with a friction wheel 63 fast on the shaft 43 for the program spool. The latter brake is released by engagement of the upper with the brake shoe 62, for lifting the brake shoe ofi of the wheel when the program roll is being rerolled. The brake 62 acts upon the program roll when the take-up spool is rolling up the program strip, so as to maintain the stretch of the program strip between the spools taut upon the traoker-ban and the brake 61 acts upon the take-up spool when.

the program roll is being rerolled for proper. tautness in rewinding ofv the program roll.

The pneumatic motor 23 has suitable operative connection with the shaft 41, as providing said shaft fixed thereto, which is meshed by a bevel pinion 66, fixed to one of the members of a telescoping shaft 67, operated by the pneumatic motor, by means of pinions 68, 69, respectively the crive-shaft of the pneumatic motor. I have provided. novel means whereby the program strip is moved at timed intervals for the playing of the musical instrument through the medium of the program strip. The playing at .the various intervals may be of equal durations, or for shorter or longer durations, and the movements of the pro-; intervals may be of equal,

gram strip at said or shorter .or longer durations. I haveprovided a novel program strip provided with series of note perforations for longer or shorter durations of playing by the instrument, and with means at the end of said respective series of note perforations whereby cessation of travel of the program strip. is caused at selected intervals, depending on the respective desired durations of the playing by the instrument, whether such playing be of only a single note, or a chord, or of greater duration, and have further'provided means whereby. actuation of the program strip may be effected, andvcessation of its travel caused, as a single actuation, or a plurality; of actuations of the program strip without playing byv the instrument, may be caused, so that a silent period or silent periods of the instrument are provided for.

By means ofmy improved device the musical instrument may be played at timed intervals, and the playing be of selective'durations. AseXaniples-it may be stated that the a chime effect may be produced by the instrument at each quarter hour. For instance, at o the first quarter hour the first phrase of a end of the lever 52 p with a bevel gear 65.

timed intervals may be quarter-hourly, and

til)

musical air may be played, at the half hour period the first and second phrases of musical air may be played, at the third quarter hour the first, second and third phrases of the musical air may be played, and at the hourly period the entire musical air may he played.

The arrangement may also be for instance that the playing by the musical instrument is elfected at intervals of five minutes, at he beginning of each of which five minute pe riods a selection is played which may be of suitable duration, for example, two minutes, more or less, or the playing may no at half hourly periods, or at hourly periods, and of such durations as may be desired, and such program of selections as may be desired may be played at such periods. Program rolls for producing the desired musical effects may be provided.

The playing may be regulatec throughout the twenty-four hours of the day, or such part of the day as may be desired, and familiar selections played at each part of day which are appropriate thereto and whose titles and style indicate the time to the hearer, for instance, in the early morning the selections played may indicate dawn or awakening, in the middle of the day may indicate exuberance or be of spirited nature, in the early evening may be appropriate to sunset, and in the later-evening may be nocturnes, lullabies, or of other suitable nature, with the result that the general time of the day is indicated to the hearer by the instrument.

If desired the sounding of the exact time of the day may be effected in such Zesthetic manner as above stated, or such til es may be announced in other manner, for instance, the hours may be announced Toy the striking ot single notes, chords or arpcggios, correspond in '11 number to the number of thehour, or in other desired musical manner. The hours may be iven by one class of enunciation, the half hours another, and the quarter hours by a third or the iours may be designated in one man r, and the subdivisions of the hour in another manner.

Qhe program strip is provided with note perforations to produce on the musical instrument the effect d sired. These rations are exempl ie "he means for initiating the u re program s-:ip at timed inter prefer to employ will now he des is obvious that other me cal mechanical or the 1 prefer to emplo a Thus 71 is an eler comprising a usual dial '72, an hour hand 73 and minute hand 7: the hour hand and min to hand bein r spectivcly moiuited on an hour shatt 75 and a minute shaft 76 connected in timeo i stance by an alternating electric house current. The electric clock rotates a shaft 79 preferably in synchronisni with the minute shaft, and is exemplified as the minute shaft. (See Figs. 1,2 and i.)

There are a suitable number of control wheels 81a, 81?), 81c and 81d fast on this shaft. These control wheels are respectively Jrovided with note es 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d which, in the present exemplification, correspend in number to the number of movements which it is desired to impart to the program strip in the course of an hour. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3 and s.)

Thus the control wheel 81a is provided with twelve notches 82a, spaced apart at live minute intervals. The control wheel 81b is provided with four notches 827), in quarter hourly periods. The control wheel 810 is provided with two notches 820, in half hourly periods. The control wheel 81d is provided with a single notch 82d for an hourly period.

The notches and wheels, and the number of the notches on the wheels and the number of wheels, and the spacing apart of the notches on the wheels, either at regular or at irregular intervals, may be provided as may be desired or appropriate for the effect to be produced.

Levers 83 are complemental to the respective control wheels and are pivoted on a pivot rod 84. A cam shaft 85 has cams 86a, 86?), 86c and 86d thereon for the respective levers, and are so arranged about the shaft that any one of the levers may be selected for coaction with its control wheel. (See 1, 2 and 3.) This cam shaft is rotated and setfor the intervals of time at which the playing by means of the program roll is to take place. The respective levers are provided with electric contacts 87a, SW), 870 and 87d, these contacts being electrically insulated from the on a dial 89 for indicating the set by the the indications timing of the program device handle. (See Figs. 2 and 9.)

The respective levers are arranged to controlelectric switches 90a, 90?), 900 and 90d, in an electric circuit which controls the piano player operation. Thus the electric contacts 87a, 87 b, 870 and 87d connect with electric conductors 91a, 91?), 91c and 91d, electrically joined into an electric conductor'92, connecting with one of the terminals of an electric translating device 93, shown as the coil of an electro-magnet, an electric conductor 94 con necting with the other terminal of said coil and with one of the terminals of a source of electric energy, shown as a transformer 95, an electric conductor 96 connecting with the other terminal of the transformer and with an electric contact 97 secured to but inan extension of 'A complemental electric contact for placing toward its complementallever,

sulated' from a post 99, for completing the circuit when any one of the electric contacts 87 a, 87 b, 87 and 87d make contact with the electric contact 97. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 3).

The transformer may be of usual construction and transform the ordinary house alternating electric circuit of say 110 volts supplied by the public service lines 101, 102, to a current of sa 16 volts. The transformer is desirable to reduce the voltage of the control current, although it is obvious that the full voltage of the public service current may be employed. q

The operation of the motor is controlled by said switches a, 90b, 90c and 90d. The motor is operated from the usual electric public service lines, as from an electric conductor 103 connecting with one of the terminals of the electric motor 25, an electric conductor 104 connecting with the other terminal of said motor and with an electric contact 105. 106 has the other public electric service line 107' electrically connected therewith. The conductor 107 includes a switch hereinafter described. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 3). 1

An electric contact 108 is arranged to bridge the electric contacts 105, 106, for completing the circuit to the electric motor 25, and forms a control switch 109 for said motor.

Electric conductors 111, 112, connect the terminals of the electric impulse motor 78 of the electric clock 71 respectively with the electric service lines 101, 102.

I The electric contact 108 is mounted on but insulated from a lever pivoted at 116 to a post 117, and having thereon an armature 118 arranged to be attracted by the core of the electro-magnet 93 for closing 109 whenever any of the control wheels 81a, 81b, 81c and 81d has been rotated by the clock so as to cause any of the notches 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d thereon to be opposite the teeth 120 on the respective levers 83, and the cams 86a, 86b, 86c and 86d have been so set as to permit the closing of any of said switches. i

The teeth are arranged to be respectively received in the respective notches Whenopposite the notches and movements of the levers are permitted by the setting of the cams. The respective cams have flat faces 121 thereon. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 9). normally permit the teeth to move into the notches. Springs 122 normally urge the respective levers for movement of their respective teeth into the notches. The high parts of the respective cams move the. levers 83 their teeth out of range of the notches. One of the flat faces 121 is usually set in ooactive relation with one of the levers for coaction with a given control wheel.

When any oneof thesefiat faces ispresented the switch The flat faces that lever is allowed to move sufficiently upon arrival of the corresponding notch opposite the corresponding tooth so as to permit entry of the tooth into the notch and corresponding movement of the lever for engagement of the contact thereon with the contact 97 for closing the circuit for the electro-magnet 93, and the consequent closing of the electricswitch 109 for operation of the motor 25. V

The notches and teeth are preferably so formed that the teeth will drop into the notches quickly for quickly closing the corresponding switch, and are also quickly raised out of said notches for permitting the switches to open after an extremely short duration of such closing of the switches. Means are provided, however, as will be hereinafter described, for maintaining the switch 109 closed for the desiredlength of time for cornpleting rendition of the selection next in order on the program strip, the cessation of the playing being controlled by the program strip.

I provide means for placing the maintenance of closed position of the switch 109 out of the influence of the switches 90a, 90b, 90c and 90d. Thus a latch 125, pivoted at 126 to the frame, is provided with a shoulder 127 arranged to engage the lever 115, for maintaining the lever in such position as tomaintain closed relation in the switch 109. The latch is provided with a guide face 128- arranged to normally rest upon the end of the lever 115, when the lever 115 is in retracted position, ready to slip under the shoulder of the latch when the armature is attracted by the electro-magnet. The latch is normally urged into engaging relation by a spring 129. The lever 115 is normally retracted by a spring The latch is arranged to be opened by a.

pneumatic 131, the movable wall 132 of which is connected with the latch 125 by a link 133.

The pneumatic 131 is normally in extended relation. A conduit 135 connects with the pump 24L in manner hereinafter described and with a port 136 of the valve-boX 137 of said pneumatic, which comprises a valve 138 00- acting with the valve seat outlet port 140 to the outside air communicating with a passage 141 to the bellows 142 of the pneumatic. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7).

The valve isprovided with a valve-stem 145 which operates on a pouch 14:6,. forming one wall of a passage 1 17, connecting with a port 1418, from which a conduit 1 19 leads to a stop port 151 in the tracker-bar. A bleeder opening 152 between the passage 1 1-7 and a passage 153 aids in normally maintaining a vacuum in the passage 1 17, and balances the pressure at both sides of the pouch'while the port 151 is closed by the program strip. The

pouch is distended and the valve opens the seat 139 and closes the port 1&0 upon open- 130. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 139, an opposite Ii ing of the stop port 151 in the tracker-bar, whereby a vacuum is created in the bellows 142 through the valve seat 139 and the pump for collapsing the bellows and releasing the latch 125.

The program strip is provided with stop perforations 155. (See Figs. 1- and 13). lVhen a stop perforation comes in registry with the stop port 151, the pneumatic 131 is operated for releasing the latch 125 and switch 109, and thereby substantially immediately causing stoppage of the electric motor 25 and stoppage of travel of the program strip and consequent stoppage of the playing thereby.

The actual stopping of the program strip takes place, however, when the stop perforation 155 will have just'passed the stop port 151 in the tracker-bar, as' exemplified in Fig. 13, because the inertia of motion of the program strip continues movement of the strip just sufiiciently to again close the stop port 15 This places the parts in relation for again expanding the pneumatic 131, which expansion is, however, resisted by entry of the lever 115 into the guide face or notch 128 and contact of said lever with the shoulder 12" (Fig. The parts remain in this relation until the next energizing of the coil 93 and attraction thereby of the armature 118 for again closing the switch 109 and releasing the latch 125, which permitsthe pneumatic 131 to again fully expand.

he program strip is provided with note perforations 33, arranged in groups or series 33a, 337), 33c, 33d, 336, etc., for striking the hour or subdivisions of the hour or for playing selections which-may be short or long and be of such character and composition as may be desired.

The groups or series of note perforations 33a to 33 inclusive, shown in Fig. 13, which coordinate with the respective titles of the selections shown, may be preceded by note perforations to designate the hours or subdivisions of hours, for instance as chimes.

The respective note perforations cause actuation of the usual hammer pneumatics in the player piano upon registering thereof with corresponding note ports 32 in the tracker-bar 31. One of these hammer pneumatics is shown at 156. (Fig. 1.)

Thus upon registry of any of the note perforations with any of the note ports in the tracker-bar, the corresponding hammer pneumatic for the given note is operated for playing the note in usual manner. The program strip may be provided with the usual additional perforations for expression or socalled reproduction not herein further shown or described.

The stop perforations 155 are respectively located at the ends of the respective seriesof note perforations or at the end of the selection beingplayediso as to stop the travel of the program strip across the tracker-bar and stop the playing. (See Fig. 13.) Or, differently expressed, there is a stop perforation between each pair of proximate series of note perforations.

If the series of note perforations is extremely short then the stop perforation may be distanced from the end of such series of note perforations to permit the tooth, 120 to recede out of the notch, as 82a, 825, 820 or 8265, so as to open the switch, as 90a, 90b, 900 or 90d, prior to registry of the stop perforation in the program strip with the stop port in the tracker-bar, in order to avoid release and reengagement of the switch 109 prior to the next intended time of operation by the time mechanism.

There is also preferably one of these stop perforations, as 155a, (Fig. 13), in advance of the collective series of note perforations so as to definitely stop the travel of the program strip in advance of the arrival of the first series of note perforations in registry with the note ports in the tracker-bar.

It may be desired that there shall be an interval or intervals of silence interspersed among playing intervals, in. other words, that some of the periods of play shall remain silent, for instance those in the middle of the night, for example from 10 p. m. to 5 45 a. 111., to avoid for instance the disturbance of sleep by the playing of chimes at stated periods during the hoursof sleep in the household. (See Fig. 18.) These intervals program rolls prepared for carrying out my invention.

In the program strip exemplified a series of the stop perforations exemplified at 1556, 1550 and 1550? are shown following each other and the last preceding stop perforation at the end of the last preceding series of note perforations, without interposed note perforations between these stop perforations. (See Fig. 13.)

When now the switch 109 is closed the timed coaction of one of the notches, thereby actuating the electric motor 25, travel of the program strip will be initiated, which travel will con tinue without playing of the instrument un til the next following stop perforation comes in registry with the stop port in the trackerar, whereupon the switch 109 is again opened by actuation of the pneumatic 131, for again stopping travel of the program strip.

The program roll may be of suflicient length and the various series of note perforations be arranged thereon to provide automatic playing at the stated intervals selected throughout the entire day of twenty-four hours, or program rolls of less length may be employed. It is desirable that the entire program roll may be rerolled.- For this purdue to one of the teeth with of silence may be interposed in player v flexible pouch being pose I provide the program strip witha. reroll perforation 161 at the end of the collective series of note perforations, which reroll perforation is arranged to register with the reroll port, 162 in the tracker-bar for efiecting rerolling of the program roll.

Pneumatics 165, 166, form a double pneumatic for respectively causing rerolling and replaying of the program strip. A conduit 167 connects the reroll port 162 in the trackerbar with a port 168 in the valve-box 169 of the pneumatic 165. (See Figs. 1 and 6).

A conduit 170 connects with the pneumatic pump and with a port 171 in said valve-box. A valve 172 normally seats on a valve-seat 173 for closing the passage 174 between the port 171 and the bellows 175 of the pneumatic 165. The valve-stem 17 6 of the valve 17 2 moves axially in a bearing 177 of the valve-box and is provided with a head 178 in a chamber 179 of the valve-box, one wall of which is formed by a pouch 180. This wall has a breathing aperture 181 therein, which breathing aperture communicates with the port 168, the normally in collapsed or inactive relative as long as the reroll port 162 in the tracker-bar is closed, during which the vacuum is equal at both sides of the pouch. (See Fig. 6). v

This flexible pouch is arranged to be distended and to act on the valve 172 when the reroll perforation 161 in the program strip registers with said reroll port, thereby admitting air freely through the port 168 and distending the flexible pouch, causing unseating of the valve 172 from its seat 173, and seating of the valve upon a seat 182 of a passage 183 communicating with the open air, and establishing connection between the vacuum and the bellows of the pneumatic 165 for collapsing said bellows and moving the movable wall 184 thereof.

This movable wall is provided with a lug 185 about an axially movable rod 186 which is provided with a tappet 187 fixed thereon. The collapsing of the bellows causes the lug on the movable wall to strike this tappet and moves the rod 186 endwise. (See Figs. 1 and 6) The rod 186 is articulated with anarm 188 on a rocker-rod 189, suitably journaled on the spool-box. The rocker-rod is provided with an arm 190. A link 191 is articulated with said arm and with the lever 51 for moving said lever, and moving the shaft 41 endwise for disengaging the pinion 40 from the gear 39 and engaging the clutch 59 by movement of the clutch-tooth on the clutch-collar 58 into obstruction with the clutch-tooth on the sprocket-wheel 45, and thereby causing rotation of the shafts 41 and 43 in reroll direc tion, for rerolling the program strip 34- on the program-spool 35. This is the relation exemplified in Fig. 1. The rocker-rod 189 is provided with an arm 192 for manually rocking the rod and manually placing the roll drive mechanism in take-up or reroll relation.

This rerolling continues :until an arm 195 on a rocker-rod 196 drops 0E the slanting end 197 of the program roll into the annular groove 198 in the take-up spool, (Figs. 1 and 13), thereby raising'a spring closing clip 199 by a cam 194 on the rod 196 for opening a replay port 200, with which a conduit 201 connects; This replay port is in a block 193. (See Figs. 1,10'and 11). The rocker-rod 196 may have a handle 196a for manual manipulation. The other end of this conduit connects with a port 268 of the pneumatic 166, which is similar in construction to the pneumatic 165, the similar parts thereof being designated by similar reference numerals raised to the series 200.

' The opening of this port 268 distends the pouch 280 in said pneumatic for opening the valve 272 in the valve-box 269 of said pneumatic, to connect the source of vacuum with the bellows of said pneumatic and close the open air port thereof, for collapsing the bellows 27 50f the pneumatic 166.

The movable wall 284 of this bellows is provided with a lug 285 about the axially movable rod 186, and is arranged to strike a tappet 202 fixed to said rod, for moving said rod in the opposite direction and thereby releasing the clutch 59 and engaging the pinion 40 with the gear 39 for rearrangement of the take-up spool for replaying. (See Fig. 6). 1

It will be understood that the electric motor 25 is still operating and the movement of the program roll in replay direction begins, but the musical instrument is silent as there are no perforations in this traversing portion of the programstrip.

This movement of the program strip in replay direction continues until registryof the initial stop perforation 155a thereon with the stop port 151 in the tracker-bar, whereupon the travel of the program strip ceases in manner hereinbefore described until arrival of the next time interval for program play- The program strip may be provided with time notations 203 corresponding to the times on the clock dial of initiations of movements of the take-up spool as controlled by the clock mechanism. (See Fig. These time designations may correspond to the intervals of the respective control wheels 81a, 81b, 81c and 81d. Thus, assuming that a program strip is being employed for indicating the time of day by chimes, such time designations of the program strip may be for instance 7 a. m.; 7:15 a. m.; 7:30 a. m.; 7:45 a. m.; 8 a. m., etc. throughout the twentyfour hours of the day. The rerolling of the program roll preferably takes place at night, for instance, just before six oclock a; m.

The initial stop perforation may be at 6 a. in. The program roll may be placed in the spool-box and the program strip unrolled by manual con rol so that the time of day depicted thereon, corresponding to time period next in advance of the time of day at which the setting is made, may be placed in association with the tracker-bar. in order that the next period or" automatic playing will be initiated at the depicted time. lVhen so placing. the program strip, the stop perforation 155 at the depiction of said selected time is placed just little in advance of the stop port 151 in the tracker-bar, as shown for in stance in the depiction 01": the time 7 :00 a. m. in Fig. 13. The clock in association in said figure shows the actual time 6: oclock. It is assumed that the automatic playing periods are on a fifteen minute schedule.

l Vhen therefore the hands of the clock arrive at 7 OO-oclock the lever 83 coacting with the cam 86!) is tripped by entry of the tooth 120 thereon into one of the notches 82b,

Ior closing the switch between the contact 876 and the contact 97, thereby energizing the electromagnet 93, attracting the armature 118,v and closing the switch 109, for actuation of the electric motor and actuation of the pneumatic 131.

A similar arrangement of theprogram strip for causing association of the depicted time thereon with the tracker bar to correspond with the period next following the actual time of day, may be made by manipulation of the manually cont-rolled unrolling and rerolling mechanism, by means of the arm 192, ii there should be any derangement be tween depicted time for next automatic actuation on the program strip and actual tin'ie, occasioned for instance by playing of the instrument under manual control and the desire to replace the instrument under automatic time control.

lVhen the program strip is rerolled, the stop perforations will register with the stop port in the tracker-bar as they pass the tracker-bar in such rerolling. It is desirable, however, that upon r-erolling, such registering shall be made ineffective to prevent stopping the rerolling. For this purpose a choke 212 is provided in the conduit 135; This choke preferably chokes the pneumatic 131 and the hammer pneumatics 156. (See Figs. 1, 7 and 8.)

This choke may be in the form of a groove 204 in a slide 205. This groove is arranged to be placed in registry and out of registry with a port 206 in a block: 207 on which the slid-e slides. The slide is pressed'toward the block by a spring 208: under anut 209 and about a belt 210 inthe block and extending through a slot 211 in the slide. The conduit 135 leadingtromthe pneumatic 131 has a branch 13564 which connects with the port 206. A. continuation 1356 of the conduitl35 connects the port 213 in the block 207 with the pump 24.

The port 214 of the hammer pneumatic 156 connects with the port 206 of the choke 212 by means of a conduit 215 and the conduit 135a, and through the choke and the conduit 135?) to the pump 24. The conduit 215 may be common to all the hammer pneumatics. Conduits 216 connect the respective ports 21? of the hammer pneumatics with the respective note ports in the tracker-bar. (See Figs. 1 and 8).

A link 219 is articulated with said slide 205, and with an mm 220 on the rocker-rod 189. (See Figs. 1 and 8.) The construction is such that when the rocker rod is moved in one direction for replay connection of the program roll, the port 206 and the groove 204; are inregistry, and when the rocker-rod is m ved in the opposite direction for reroll drive relation in the spool-box, the port 206 and the groove 20-fl are out of registry or choked, so as to shut off communication of the pump 24 from the hammer pneumatics' and from the pneumatic 131 during. rerolling travel of the program strip.

Separate program strips or rolls for severally producing the various musical efiects described, may be provided, or program strips or rolls may be provided for severally producing desired associations of such effects.

It may be desirable to supplement the time control travel of the program strip with a manual control of the program strip. F or this purpose I interpose an electric switch 221 between the electric conductor 92 and an electric contact 222 in the electric conductor 96. The switch 221 may be in the conductor 92, but I prefer to maintain the conductor 92 continuous. A spring 218 may automatically retract the movable member of the switch 221 for normal open relation of said switch. When the manual switch 221 is moved to contact the contact 222, the electric switches 90a, 90?), 900, and 90d controlled by the clock are by-passed.

Upon momentary closing of the switch 221 with the contact 222, the switch 109 is'closed, and the program strip is caused to travel for playing the next selection on the program strip. The switch 221 being immediately opened, the travel of the program strip ceases at the termination of such selection by reason of the registry of the stop perforation following said selection with the stop port in the tracker-bar, as hereinbefcre described. whichmanual operation may be repeated as desired.

If desired, the clock mechanism and the cam mechanism and the switchesassociated therewith, need not be placed in or on the piano or other musical instrument, but may be provided with an ornamental case and be placed onia mantel or at any other suitable rod 236 and opening the switch 229 point, and be connected with the controlled devices by the electric conductors 92, 94, which may be in the form of an ornamental electric cord.

The various series of note perforations may have the titles of the musical selections which they represent applied thereto, as represented by the title 225. (See Fig. 13.) These titles are in association with the stop perforation in advance of the series of note perforations which are designated by the title, so that the title may be readily viewed in front of the tracker-bar prior to the playing thereof.

The arm 195 dropping into the groove 198 of the take-up spool, arranges these parts for replay of the roll byopening the air-port 200, as hereinbefore described. Whether to replay or not is 'cfontrolled by a manually operated arm 228, shown. located at the left hand end of the spool-box, for opening or closing the air-passage to said air-port, either to replay or not to replay, respectively. Means are also provided forstopping the electric motor if it is desired are also provided for placing the musical instrument under manual control and for bypassing the program playing parts.

There is a manually operated electric switch 229 which is opened or closed by means of a button 230. When the button is pushed in it operates a rod 231 articulated at 232 with a lever 233 pivoted at 234, and articu lated at 235 with a rod 236, connecting with the movable member of the switch 229, for closing said switch. When the button is moved in the opposite direction the switch 229 is opened. (See Fig. 1.) r

The rod 236 is also operatively connected with the movable wall 237 of a pneumatic 238. The movable wall 237 has a lug 239 eX- tending therefrom, which is located to coact with a collar 240 on the rod 236. Contact of the lug with the collar and movement of the movable wall moves the rod 236 for opening the electric switch 229. V p

The manual control arm 228 rotates a valve 244 in a valve casing 245 on the block 193, the port 200 extending from said valve-casing. (See Figs. 1, 10 and 11.) The conduit 201 connects with a port 246 in said valvecasing. There is a further port 247 in said valve-casing, with which one end of the conduit 248 is connected, the other end of said conduit being connected with the intake port 249 of the pneumatic 238, so that, when said conduit is opened to the air through the port 200, the pneumatic 238 collapses and its movable wall 237 is collapsed for actuating the and thereby stopping the electric motor. A conduit 241 connects the port 242 of the pneumatic 238 with the conduit 170 leading to the pump.

The valve 244 has an air-passage 250 therein, the ends of which, when the arm 228 is 7 not to replay. Means moved into replay-on position 251, indicated on the plate 252, connect with the conduit 201 and the air-port 200, for opening the conduit 201 to the air, when the spring closing clip 199 is raised by the cam 194, so that replay is effected. Nhen saidarm 228 is moved into replay-off position 253 indicated on said dial, the passage 250 has its respective ends in communication with the conduit 248 and the air port 200, whereby the conduit 201 is closed by the valve 244, and the passage 250 in said valve has its respective ends connected with the conduit 248 and the air-port 200, so that, when said spring closing clip 199 is raised by the cam 194 by dropping of the arm 195 in the annular groove 198 in the take-up spool, communication of the port 249 of the pneumatic 238 is made with the outside air, for collapsing the bellows of said pneumatic, and moving the rod 236, for opening the switch 229,-and thereby interrupting the current forthe electric motor 25, and stopping the playing of the piano under manual control.

The switch 229is in a separate partial circuit in the public service line, this partial circuit by-passing the program device partial circuit. This separate partial circuit is exemplified as an electric conductor 256 connecting the main line 101 with one terminal of the switch 229, and an electric conductor 257 connecting the other terminal of said switch with the electric conductor 104.

It may be desirable to interrupt the electric connections for the program device when the manual control switch 229 is manually closed, so as to avoid interference between playing of the instrument manually or under manual control, and the playing controlled by the program device.

This may be accomplished, for instance, by providing the switch 110 in the electric conductor 107 connecting with one of the terminals of the electric control switch 109 for interrupting the circuit therethrough. (See Fig. 1.) The switch 110 is connected to move with the switch 229 so that, when one of said switches is open, the other is closed, and vice versa. Thisconnection may be by means of a bar 258, articulated with the respective switch levers, or such switches may be rotary or other switches of any usual or ordinary construction suitably connected.

If it is desired to have the musical instrument repeat a selection in the program strip, the manual control may be made efiective by pushing on the button 230, for closing the switch 229, and manually rerolling the program strip by the reroll devices of the instrument, controlled by the knob 192, until the perforations representing the selection it is desired to repeat have been rerolled. The button 230 is then pulled for opening the switch 229 and closing the switch 110, and again manually connecting the drive for the take-up roll in replay direction by manipulation of the manual control device. ofthe instrument for such purpose, exemplified as the knob 192. Momentary closing of the switch 22l connects the conductor 92 with the conductor 96 for initiating replay of such selection by the program device, the opening of said switch again placing the instrument under full program control.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claimas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination, a musical instrument comprising pneumatics for note production, a horometer, and a program roll complemen tal to said pneumatics, said program roll provided with note perforations for producing music complemental to time by said horometer.

2. In combination, a musical instrument comprising note program roll, and means controlled by said horometer for initiations of travel or said program roll at time intervals controlled by said horometer, and said program roll provided with control parts for causing stopping of travel of said program roll.

3. A musical instrumentcomprisingpneumatics for note production, actuating means for etl'ecting the playing of the instrument including means for successive renditions, and horometer controlled means for control. ling the intervals of successive renditions i. A musical instrument comprising pneumatics for note production, actuating means for eiiecting the playing of the instrument by means of said pneumatics including means for successive renditions, and horometer controlled means for controlling the intervals of successive renditions, said means for successive renditions provided with indications whereby to synchronize said means for successive renditions and the horometer.

5. A musical instrument comprising actuatin means and pneumatics for effecting the playing ot the instrument including means for successive renditions, horometer con trolled means for controlling the intervals of successive renditions, and means for adjusting the durations of said intervals.

6. A musical instrument comprising note pneumatics, a program strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations complemental to said note pneumatics, and horometer controlled means for initiating movements of said program strip at timed intervals for coaction of said respective se ries of note perforations with said note pneumatics, and said program strip provided with stop means at irregular intervals at the ends of respective ones of said series of note perforations.

7. A musical instrument comprising note pneumatics, a program strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations pneumatics, a horometer, a

'complemental to said note pneumatics, and

horometer controlled means for initiating movements of said program strip at timed intervals for coaction of said respective series of note perforations with said note pneumatics, adjusting means for adjusting the durations of said intervals, and said program strip provided with stop means at irregular intervals at the ends of respective ones of said series of note perforations.

8. A musical instrument comprising note pneumatics, a program strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations complemental to said note pneumatics, horometer controlled means for initiating movements of said program strip at timed intervals for coaction of said respective series of note pertorations with said. note pneumatics, and manual cont-rolled means for initiating movements of said program strip for coaction of said note perforations with said note pneumatics.

9. A musical instrument pneumatics, a a plurality of series of note perforations complemental to said note pneumatics, horometer controlled means for initiating movements of said program strip at timed intervals for coaction of said respective series of note perforations with said note pneumatics, manual controlled means for initiating movements comprising note of said program strip for coaction of said note perforations with said note pneumatics and connecting means between said horometer controlled means and said manual controlled means for interrupting said horometer controlled means upon actuation of said manual controlled means.

10. A program device for a player musical instrument comprising pneumatics for note production, actuating means for said pneumatics, means for successive renditions complemental to said note pneumatics, a horometer, control means for said actuating means having control connection with said horometer for initiating said respective success ive renditions, and stopping means automatically operative at the terminations of respective renditions.

11. A program device for a player musical instrument comprising pneumatics for note production, actuating means for said pneumatics, means for successive renditions, a lIOT'OIHGtGL'COHtI'OI means for said actuating means having control connection with said horometer for initiating respective successive'renditions, automatic stopping means automatically operative at the terminations or" respectiverenditions, and means at the termination of the collective renditions for return ofsaid means for successive renditions to initial relation.

12A program device fora player musical instrument comprising pneumatics for note fproduction, actuating means for said program strip provided with sive renditions,

V by said respective ones 01 P 'actuations of the latter pneumatics, a control means for initiating adjustable for variously timed intervals, means for succesand automatic stopping means automatically operative between proximate ones of said last-named means.

13,- A program device for a player inusical instrument comprising pneumatics for note production, actuating means for said pneumatics, means for successive renditions, a horometer, an'd controlmeans for said actuating with said horometer for initiating said respective successive renditions, and said means for successive renditions provided with time notations in synchronism with said 'horometer.

14. A program strip for a player musical instrument, said program strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations, withstop .partsat the end of respective ones of said series of note perforations for controlling cessation of note renditions said series of note erforations, with a re-roll perforation at the end of the collective series of note perforations and with a stop part at the beginning of said collectiVeseries-of note perforations. V

15. A program strip for a pneumatic power player musical instrument, said program strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations, with stop parts between adjacent series of note perforations, and with time-notations in association with said stop parts.

16. A program roll for a pneumatic player musical instrument comprising a spool and a perforatel strip provided with a plurality of series of note perforations respectively for note rendition, with stop perforations at the ends of the respective ones of said series of note perforations,'with a re-roll perforation for controlling re-rolling of said roll at the end of the collective series of note perforations, and with a stop perforationat the beginning of said collective series of note perforations.

17 A program strip for a pneumatic player musical instrument, said program strip provided with'spaced-apart series of note perforations, with stop perforations in the spaces between proximate ones of said series of note perforations, with a re-roll perforation at the end of. the collective series of note perforations, and with a stop perforation at the beginning of said collective series of note perforations.

' 18. In a power player'musical instrument, the combination ofnote pneumatics,'a tracker-bar provided with note ports and with a stop port, conduits between said note ports and said note pneumatics, a pneumatic pump,

an electric motor therefor, a horometer, time control means for actuations of said motor .an electric motor therefor, means having control connection- 19. In a power player musical instrument, V

the combination of note pneumatics, a tracker-bar provided with note ports and with a stop port, conduits between said note ports and said note pneumatics, a pneumatic pump, a horometer, time control means for actuations of said motor controlled by said horometer including interrupting means, a pneumatic for operating said interrupting means, said stop port and said last-named pneumatic anda program roll provided with note perforations complemental to said note ports and with a stop perforation to said stop port. p

20. In a power player musical instrument, the combination of note pneumatics, a tracker-bar providedwith note ports and with a stop port, conduits between said note ports and said note pneumatics, a pneumatic pump, an electric motor therefor, a'horometer, time control means for actuations of said motor a conduit between complemental controlled by said horometer'including interrupting means, a pneumatic for operating a conduit between said interrupting means, said stop port and said last-named pneumatic, and a choke in said last-named conduit.

21. In a power player musical instrument, the combination of note pneumatics, a tracker-bar provided stop port, conduits between said note ports and said note pneumatics, a pneumatic pump, an electric motor therefor, a horometer, time control means for actuations of said motor controlled by said horometer, and manual control means for said motor having operative connection with said time control means for interrupting said time control means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

WILLARD J. BUTLER.

with note ports and with a 

